Tag: knitting

Bronwyn’s Handmade Christmas November 2016: For the Home

I have to admit that I don’t decorate much for Christmas, or throughout the year, for that matter. I put up a tree and hang a wreath on the door, but that’s about it. A few years ago, I started collecting the LEGO Winter Village sets (Some people collect ceramic houses; I do LEGO.), but I never get around to setting up an actual display. Maybe this year will be different.

I came across a video a few weeks ago for how to make pumpkin pom pom garland. I’ve seen a similar technique for making several pom poms at once, but this is pretty clever. First, wrap lots of yarn around two poles several feet apart. Then, securely tie short sections at equal intervals. Finally, cut between the ties to create individual pom poms; for garland, though, keep one strand intact all the way across so that the poms are strung along the length of it, evenly spaced. To trim and shape the pom poms, hold the long strand out of the way while you carefully snip around. (more…)

November 26, 2016
Indie Designer Gift-A-Long 2016

With Christmas just over a month away, it’s time for all you knitters and crocheters to kick your crafting into high gear if you’re planning to make hand-stitched gifts. If you’re still looking for just the right pattern, now is a great time to support independent designers like me. It takes a lot of time and hard work to put out quality designs, so we all really appreciate every pattern sale. The Indie Design Gift-A-Long (GAL) is a Ravelry-wide knit-along/crochet-along (KAL/CAL) that showcases knit and crochet designers who self-publish their patterns. Without wide exposure from magazines or yarn companies, indie designers are left to fend for themselves. This GAL is an excellent way to discover fun patterns from new-to-you designers. The event begins with a pattern sale running from tonight, November 22, at 8 p.m. EST (New York time) through Wednesday, November 30, 2016, 11:59 p.m. EST. Hundreds of designers (335, actually) have created “pattern bundles” on Ravelry to highlight their 5-20 designs that qualify for a 25% discount. Use the universal code giftalong2016 in your shopping cart to take advantage of the sale. (more…)

November 22, 2016
Gathering Rosebuds

I’m so excited to release my new shawl pattern today! Gathering Rosebuds is a shallow crescent, one of my favorite shawl shapes. I love the long tails that can wrap around my shoulders when worn as a traditional shawl, and when I wrap it around my neck like a scarf, the center isn’t so deep that it feels like I’m wearing a lobster bib. The increases are worked all the way through the border in order to maintain the elegant curve of the crescent. This means that the tails cascade gracefully rather than being lopped off at the ends.

I designed Gathering Rosebuds to be knit with just one skein of fingering weight yarn. I chose a gorgeous skein of MCN (Merino/Cashmere/Nylon 80/10/10) dyed by Jeanette of Sun Valley Fibers. (Mine used about 92 g in the Moody colorway.) She has some of the most beautiful semi-solid colorways. If you have extra yarn, I’ve included additional instructions for knitting two more rows of rosebuds. Charts and written instructions are provided in the pattern.

What’s in a name? (more…)

September 29, 2016
7 Years a Knitter

Today marks my 7th anniversary on Ravelry. It also marks the approximate date I started knitting. The specifics are a little fuzzy about when I cast on my first stitches, but I know that I started my first project, this pair of shorties for a cloth diaper cover, on June 20, 2009. I watched videos on knittinghelp.com to learn everything I needed to know. I remember researching diaper cover patterns online before buying yarn at Ewe-Nique Yarns in Morton, IL. When I was in the shop, I saw a sign about joining Ravelry; I signed up as soon as I got home. Of course, back in those days, Ravelry was still in beta testing, so I had to wait a day or so to get my approval email. The agony! I had no idea seven years ago just how much that simple sign-up form would change my life.
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June 16, 2016
Windswept Forest

Windswept Forest is my latest knitting design — a cowl knit in the round using a simple lace pattern. For around $8, Quince & Co. Finch knits up quickly into a deceptively inexpensive gift for a friend or for yourself.

The inspiration for this cowl came from a design challenge put forth by Frenchie, a.k.a. ArohaKnits. The challenge began with creating a mood board inspired by one of three themes: ocean, mountains, or forest. I focused on images of forests. I found lots of really cool photos of dense forests but was most intrigued by the windswept trees — trees with branches bent backwards at crazy angles. It’s amazing that some of these trees can possibly remain rooted in the ground. (more…)

May 23, 2016
Who is that caped knitter?

My secret identity is Bronwyn Hahn, stay-at-home mom to a silly, precocious 7-year-old boy, but as Bronwyn the Brave, I tackle all things crafty. I design knitting and crochet patterns, tech edit other designers’ patterns, and teach knitting and crochet classes. (I also sew, scrapbook, and make all sorts of other crafts, but no one pays me for those things.)

When I learn new crafts or techniques, I love to share the fun with others. One of my goals for this blog is to share bits of what I learn with all of you. To get the ball rolling, you can check out my video tutorials. Subscribe to my newsletter, too, to be the first to get fiber-related tips, sneak peeks of new designs, exclusive pattern discounts, and more! As a special thanks for signing up, you’ll receive a code for 20% off any pattern in my Ravelry store!

May 17, 2016